What Are People Riding? - Whistler Opening Weekend 2016

May 25, 2016
by Rose Oakhill  
The Whistler Mountain Bike Park is open again for another summer season and during the five-month opening window people from all over the globe will come to enjoy its world famous trails. For many Pinkbike users, be it in the lift line or sat behind a computer watching videos or glancing at photos of opening weekend, it can't be denied that out of curiosity we like to know who is riding what, even if we pretend we don't. So we took to the busy lift lines again for another opening weekend and checked out what's popular, what's changed and how riders chose to kit their bikes out ready to hit the Whistler Mountain Bike Park.

Whistler Bike Park opening day 2015

The usual rules apply, one hundred passers-by for each category. Between noon and 4pm Sunday we checked out frames, forks, shocks, brakes, derailleurs, wheels and tire choice, clipped vs flat, men vs women, and we bought back the helmet survey as well as who was wearing a neck brace or not. Of course, we also checked out what's happening with your DH bike wheel size. Hint; it's pretty close.
Rental bikes and Kid's bikes were not included in our survey




With a packed lift line Sunday and no chance of a double count, we extended the frame category to a sample size of two hundred vs the usual one hundred of previous years in order to get a better look at the variety of bikes coming through the lineup. Each .5% now equals one bike in this year's stats.

Frames Opening Weekend 2016:

Specialized Demo 14.5%
Norco Aurum 10.5%
Devinci Wilson 5.5%
Giant Glory 5%
Santa Cruz V10 4%
Trek Session 3.5%
Transition TR500 3%
Kona Operator 2.5%
YT Tues 2%
Giant Reign 2%
Commencal Supreme V3 2%
Giant Trance 1.5%
Rocky Mountain Maiden 1.5%
Knolly Podium 1.5%
Transition TR450 1.5%
Intense M16 1.5%
Intense M9 1.5%
Intense 951 1.5%
Norco Team DH 1.5%
Norco Aline 1.5%
Diamondback Mission 1.5%
Canfield Jedi 1.5%
Zerode 1.5%
Pivot Phoenix 1.5%
Rocky Mountain Flatline 1%
Specialized Enduro 1%
Banshee Legend 1%
Santa Cruz Nomad 1%
Turner DHR 1%
Mondraker Summum 1%
Polygon Collosus DH 1%
Norco Shore 1%
Transition Patrol 1%
Commencal Meta 1%
Scott Gambler 1%
Banshee Darkside .5%
Banshee Rune .5%
Banshee Spitfire .5%
Trek Remedy .5%
Trek Slash .5%
Devinci Fanatik .5%
Devinci Spartan .5%
Devinci Troy .5%
Norco Range .5%
Norco Sight .5%
Norco Fluid .5%
Norco Bline .5%
Specialized Status .5%
Specialized Stumpjumper .5%
Specialized SX Trail .5%
Rocky Mountain Altitude .5%
Rocky Mountain Slayer .5%
Transition Covert .5%
Transition TR250 .5%
Ghost Riot .5%
Ghost DH .5%
Saracen Myst .5%
Knolly Delirium .5%
Scott Voltage .5%
Santa Cruz Bronson .5%
NS Fuzz .5%
Evil Undead .5%
Morewood Makulu .5%
Ibis Mojo .5%
Cavalerie Anakin .5%
Frames Opening Weekend 2015:

Specialized Demo 17%
Devinci Wilson 13%
Norco Aurum 9%
Santa Cruz V10 7%
Giant Glory 5%
Giant Reign 5%
Rocky Mountain Flatline 5%
Transition TR500 4%
Transition TR450 3%
Trek Session 2%
Knolly Podium 2%
Lapierre DH 2%
Zerode 2%
Cove Shocker 2%
Kona Stab 2%
Evil Undead 2%
Intense M9 2%
Norco A-line 2%
Kona Operator 2%
Intense 951 1%
Specialized Enduro 1%
Cove Playmate 1%
Trek Slash 1%
Foes Hydro 1%
Norco Range 1%
Banshee Darkside 1%
Scott Voltage 1%
NS Fuzz 1%
Specialized Status 1%
Banshee Rune 1%
Morpheus DH 1%




Forks Opening Weekend 2016:

RockShox Boxxer (all models)34%
Fox 40 (all models)24%
RockShox Pike12%
Fox 368%
Marzocchi 8884%
Marzocchi 55/663%
RockShox Lyrik2%
RockShox Sektor2%
Fox 342%
BOS Idylle2%
RockShox Domain1%
RockShox Revelation1%
Marzocchi EXR1%
Marzocchi 3801%
Manitou Travis1%
BOS Deville1%
X Fusion Sweep1%
Forks Opening Weekend 2015:

RockShox Boxxer (all models)35%
Fox 40 (all models)23%
Marzocchi 55/669%
Marzocchi 8887%
Marzocchi 380 (all models)6%
Fox 364%
RockShox Pike4%
RockShox Lyrik4%
RockShox Domain2%
BOS Idylle2%
Manitou Dorado1%
Suntour Rux1%
Fox 341%
Marzocchi Junior T1%




Rear Shocks Opening Weekend 2016:

Fox DHX (inc X2)26%
Cane Creek DB Coil12%
RockShox Vivid Coil11%
Fox Float X (Inc X2)7%
Fox Van7%
RockShox Monarch Plus5%
Fox Float5%
Marzocchi C2R5%
RockShox Kage4%
Marzocchi Rocco4%
DVO Jade Coil3%
Xfusion Vector3%
Rockshox Vivid Air2%
RockShox Monarch1%
Ohlins1%
Cane Creek Inline1%
Cane Creek DB Air1%
BOS Stoy1%
Marzocchi Rocco Air1%
Rear Shocks Opening Weekend 2015:

Fox DHX (all models)28%
Rockshox Monarch Plus11%
RockShox Vivid Coil11%
Cane Creek DB Coil9%
Fox Van7%
Fox Float X7%
Fox Float RP236%
RockShox Kage5%
RockShox Vivid Air4%
Marzocchi Rocco4%
Cane Creek DB Air2%
BOS Stoy2%
Marzocchi Moto C2R1%
RockShox Monarch1%
Ohlins1%
Cane Creek Inline1%




Brakes Opening Weekend 2016:

Shimano Saint29%
SRAM Guide (all models)21%
Avid Code (all models)13%
Shimano Zee11%
Avid Elixir (all models)9%
Avid XO5%
Shimano SLX4%
Shimano Deore2%
Shimano XT1%
Shimano XTR1%
Avid Juicy1%
Avid DB1%
Formula T11%
Formula R01%
Brakes Opening Weekend 2015:

Shimano Saint28%
Shimano Zee14%
Avid Code (all models)14%
Avid Elixir (all models)13%
SRAM Guide5%
Avid Juicy5%
Avid XO5%
Shimano XT3%
Hope Tech 33%
Hayes 92%
Formula RX2%
Shimano XTR2%
Shimano SLX2%
Shimano Deore1%
Formula Oro1%




Derailleurs Opening Weekend 2016:

Shimano Saint20%
Shimano Zee19%
SRAM XO111%
SRAM XO10%
SRAM X710%
SRAM X97%
Shimano SLX3%
SRAM GX3%
Gearbox Bike3%
Shimano XTR2%
Shimano XT2%
Shimano Deore3%
SRAM X52%
Single Speed2%
SRAM XX11%
Shimano Altus1%
Shimano Acera1%
Chainless1%
Derailleurs Opening Weekend 2015:

SRAM XO21%
SRAM X917%
Shimano Saint17%
Shimano Zee13%
SRAM XO18%
SRAM X57%
Shimano XT6%
Shimano XTR4%
SRAM X73%
Shimano Deore2%
SRAM XX12%




Rims Opening Weekend 2016:

DT Swiss21%
Mavic13%
Sun Ringle9%
Stan's9%
Spank9%
Easton4%
Bontrager3%
Nukeproof3%
Raceface3%
Specialized Roval2%
E*thirteen2%
Kore2%
Industry 92%
Alex Rims1%
Shimano1%
Syncros1%
Azonic1%
Giant1%
Enkei1%
Diamondback1%
Hope1%
NS1%
Rims Opening Weekend 2015:

Sun Ringle21%
Mavic18%
DT Swiss13%
Easton9%
Specialized Roval8%
Alex Rims6%
Stan's4%
Spank3%
Shimano2%
Syncros2%
Transition Revolution2%
Novatec2%
Bontrager2%
WTB1%
Azonic1%
Spinergy1%
Jalco1%
Giant1%
Crank Brothers1%
E*thirteen1%
Nukeproof1%

Tires Opening Weekend 2016:

Maxxis Minion DHF25%
Schwalbe Magic Mary21%
Specialized Butcher10.5%
Maxxis High Roller 29.5%
Maxxis High Roller6%
Bontrager G45.5%
Maxxis Minion DHR4%
Maxxis Minion DHR 22.5%
Maxxis Ardent2%
Specialized Slaughter2%
Schwalbe Hans Dampf1.5%
Schwalbe Nobby Nick1.5%
Maxxis Shorty1.5%
Continental Kaiser1%
Kenda Nevegal1%
Hutchinson Toro1%
Bontrager XR31%
WTB Vigilante1%
Kenda El Moco.5%
Kenda Honey Badger.5%
Continental Trail King.5%
Maxxis Minion SS.5%
WTB Prowler.5%
Tires Opening Weekend 2015:

Maxxis Minion DHF33%
Schwalbe Magic Mary25%
Maxxis High Roller 216%
Specialized Butcher7%
Maxxis High Roller6%
Maxxis Minion DHR3%
Continental Kaiser3%
Schwalbe Hans Dampf2%
Bontrager G42%
Maxxis Ardent2%
Kenda Nevagal1%

DH Wheel Size Opening Weekend 2016:

27.5inch50%
26inch49%
24inch1%
DH Wheel Size Opening Weekend 2015:

26inch90%
27.5inch10%

*The 24inch figure from this weekend is due to two bikes coming through running 26inch front and 24inch rear, that was split .5% each wheel size.



Opening Weekend 2016:

Clipless27%
Flats73%
Opening Weekend 2015:

Clipless16%
Flats84%


Opening Weekend 2016:

Male78%
Female22%
Opening Weekend 2015:

Male84%
Female16%

We also threw in a couple of categories we haven't checked out since we first did this back in 2012. We brought back the helmet brand poll along with seeing who was and wasn't opting for a neck brace in the park. Interestingly this statistic from the one hundred people we ticked off has not changed at all.

Helmets Opening Weekend 2016:

Troy Lee Designs33%
Fox19%
IXS16%
Giro11%
Bell8%
POC4%
6613%
Specialized3%
100%1%
Kali1%
Suomy1%
Helmets 2012:

Troy Lee Designs38%
66111%
Giro9%
Protec7%
Urge7%
Fox7%
Bell7%
THE4%
POC2%
Fly2%
Specialized1%
Mace1%
MET1%
Bluegrass1%
Kali1%
Suomy1%

Neck Brace's Opening Weekend 2016:

No Brace77%
Brace23%
Neck Brace's 2012:

No Brace77%
Brace23%



What did you think of our findings on opening weekend here at the Whistler Bike Park? Let us know what you ride below.

Check out the full articles from our previous "What People are Riding" surveys.

Opening Weekend 2015
Closing Weekend 2015
July 2012


MENTIONS: @roseoakhill / @WhistlerMountainBikePark



Author Info:
roseoakhill avatar

Member since Dec 12, 2011
9 articles

290 Comments
  • 282 3
 Bike brands, parts and helmets a side. I think the greatest stat is the increase in Woman riders! Fantastic news that more ladies are picking up the sport and getting out on the trails!
  • 43 1
 YES!! thats the most exciting thing i got from this poll. more women riders, thats frickin awesome!
  • 40 1
 Absolutely agree. Almost 25% female riders is fantastic.
  • 15 1
 Soo true tbh! It's awesome to see women hitting DH lines!
  • 31 2
 I agree! I'm so tired of looking at men's asses, constantly, while I'm on the trail
  • 20 0
 Can't wait to meet my future wife!
  • 4 0
 Couldn't agree more !
  • 6 1
 Or less guys are riding?
  • 1 1
 Regarding to title, im still unsure if this part was about rides or riders?
  • 5 3
 No offense and my question does not naturally imply the opposite of your statement but can you please explain why this is a fantastic news?
  • 2 1
 @Ryanrobinson1984: stop looking. Wink
  • 235 10
 @Protour: How do you explain that the Demo is the most popular Downhill bike....
  • 37 80
flag Schmittr86 (May 25, 2016 at 9:14) (Below Threshold)
 Rental fleet maybe?
  • 63 4
 coz it was a "Demo"
  • 76 3
 @Schmittr86: They said in the article they didn't include rental bikes
  • 71 3
 they should have had a catagory for the old demo and the new demo
  • 130 12
 @Schmittr86: Rentals not included in the survey.

Every one of those 29 people probably crashed immediately on the first run and died, because of how dangerous and unstable the Demo is. If they had done the survey after the second run the numbers would have been different amirite @protour ?
  • 7 2
 @Schmittr86: "Rental bikes and Kid's bikes were not included in our survey"
  • 14 0
 Probably a cheap option in the US/CAN ? Also the Demo has been existing for around 10 years so that helps a little bit.
  • 44 1
 I wonder if there were any survivors?...
  • 7 1
 Fanbois!
  • 14 3
 I'm sure it's because all the original owners died on them and now they flooded the buy/sell for cheap
  • 19 5
 @Protour is wildly oversimplifying about suspension design (the pivot-to-pivot drop on the demo is pretty similar to a lot of what else is out there) but regardless of whether a Specialized is the best thing going they've got such a killer marketing department and put so much effort into a. making the bikes look slick and b. getting them underneath incredible riders that the level of domination is to be expected.

To be clear I find Specialized super boring, can't stand their litigious posture in the industry and would never buy one (plus I live in a town with not one but two ripping local mountain bike companies, so why buy anything designed more than two miles away?). But they do set the standard for "cool" high end bikes for a _lot_ of people. Including me, when I was in high school.
  • 6 7
 cheapest POS
  • 3 1
 @Schmittr86: rental bikes are not included in the survey
  • 13 2
 Shout out to all the other Wilson riders out there keeping us in the top 3 ????????
  • 5 4
 Monopolism
  • 35 6
 LOL how do you explain Budweiser the most popular beer in the usa even if it taste like SH?T....

ADVERTISEMENT PERIOD doesn't mean its any good.
  • 15 35
flag bmoore34 (May 25, 2016 at 13:52) (Below Threshold)
 @BTKMADDOG: the reason Budweiser is the most popular beer was due to prohibition closing down nearly all of the beer production in America. They stayed in business and once the repeal hit they started production again with conciderably less competition. So unless there was a law enacted that prohibited the production of dh bikes your an idiot.
  • 11 7
 @bmoore34: roflol get lost and your Yankee dumb laws.
  • 90 7
 @BTKMADDOG: american beer is like sex in a canoe.... f*cking close to water
  • 3 2
 @BTKMADDOG:

Cheers to that!
  • 3 0
 @Patrick9-32:
What are you smoking ? I want some too....
  • 4 0
 Maybe because of it pat pending ejection design?????
  • 8 0
 demos are great bikes thats probably why
  • 8 1
 At the end of the day, DH bikes are typically pretty tunable, and so to most riders there isnt a huge difference in performance or quality between most brands. So naturally, the discerning buyer will either go for the cheapest option or the best looking option (I'm excluding the brand loyal customers). Lets face it, the Demo looks badass in a world of V10 and Session aesthetic copies. I reckon the only reason Yeti and the other boutique brands sell bikes is because they look good and there is a loyal following, because in reality you're kidding yourself if you think they ride better. I should also add that this is why bike reviews are much of a muchness these days. When all the bikes are really good, and there aint much to differentiate them because medium to high end components are so tunable or quality, of course you're only going to read reviews which say nice things about the bike but in a different way.
  • 1 2
 @bmoore34: Bud was hardly the only brewery to continue business operations (legally) during prohibition
  • 1 0
 The quality of all these modern companies is amazing. The demo certainly is not 3x better than a Wilson, or 5x better than a Session. Besides the obvious marketing advantage that Specialized has, theses bikes should all sell much more equally. Some people are just going to pick based on aesthetics. For the most part, as long as I'm picking between quality companies, the only thing that I find is different between companies is sizing, geometries, and lengths. I'd pick from these bikes based on BB heights and chainstay lengths before just picking the name brand who's sticker I want.
  • 1 0
 same as taxi.. lol
  • 3 1
 @connorwhite: only the buffalo piss big 3 beer that water that tastes like beer.......there are alot of true craft breweries in the states that are putting out some awesome stuff.
  • 3 3
 @connorwhite: you've apparently not been to the US... we've only been in a craft beer renaissance since, idk, the 80s.

I'm sure all Australian beer is just like VB and XXXX Gold, right? Swill.

@bmoore34 Bud wasn't the only brewery to make it through prohibition. Yuengling, Coors, Miller, etc all survived by making things other than beer. Coors started a ceramics business that's now a massive moneymaker in the aerospace industry. The majors came out on top by being the best businessmen and diversifying quickly, while the financial strain of prohibition basically broke the less financially savvy breweries, which then could be bought for cheap. Consolidation of small breweries happened quickly from '33 to the 50s, but AB was far from the only one who came out ahead.
  • 1 2
 @ZeGermans: I would just LOVE to hear how exactly someone that isn't riding a Demo is kidding him or her self?

Yeti is a boutique brand?

Not riding better based on what metric(s)?

Essentially what you've just said here is that the only people that can make a good bike are the big BIG companies and everything else is sh1te that might or might not look good.

This sounds like the baseless meanderings for a Fanboi.
  • 2 0
 I don't even get excited to see a specialized anymore. It's like back in the 90s seeing a mustang or camaro--- dime a dozen
  • 1 0
 @BDKR: can't tell if you're trolling, can't understand context, or are suffering from fanboi blindness yourself.

My point was/is there ain't much to pick between brands when it comes to performance, so discerning buyers pick the bikes that cost the least or look the best (subjectively).
  • 2 0
 @connorwhite: @connorwhite: have you ever been here and tasted some of our best microbrews? I bet not because there are some great beers here that are not anything near H20. If I am wrong, then name me some of the water beers you are thinking of that I consider great microbrew and I will come back with some beers you should try. Say what you want about bikes but don't mess with my beer! Smile
  • 2 0
 @bkm303: yup that's what I was saying. Yeungling made ice cream during prohibition and was a creamery.
  • 3 1
 @Tmonster2301
Cigarettes are dangerous and they are still quite popular, what gives? Some people still think they are cool, just as some naive people think Specialized is still a cool brand. Marketing and goods looks, as others have stated, are the keys to getting people to spend money against their best interests. The Demo is a good looking bike, that alone is enough for some fan boys. I like the Specialized/Budweiser comparison except that Budweiser doesn't have a reputation for frivolous lawsuits that bankrupt small companies.
  • 2 0
 @Protour: actually budweiser have gone after a few small companies, Ride snowboards for one when they produced a binding that the colour way looked a bit like budweiser branding, and another a certain chain of snowboard shops called boardwise, when it was first name a few heavy cease and desist letters landed on the doormat of the shop rather bluntly stating that the shop would be sued if it didn't change its name and the branding...
  • 4 0
 @connorwhite: your a kook if you think our beer tastes like water. As a craft Brewery owner, I will gladly let you sample our 14 different styles of beer if you ever make it to California
  • 1 0
 @mikeyb76: Can I sample them please?
  • 1 0
 @CRUmbach: for sure!!!! let me know when you are in Carpinteria
  • 136 4
 Craziest stat in here for me is the transition to 275 wheels. WOW 10% to 50% in one year.

Well played bike industry.. well played!
  • 40 3
 Yip, I better start stocking up on my 26" tyres before they stop making them Frown
  • 14 1
 and with the transition from 26 to 27.5 wheels the amount of enduro bikes increased hugely
  • 9 0
 I was surprised by how low 27.5 was last year, my guess is it was heavily under-represented in the sample. By now it's basically anyone who bought a major brand DH bike in the last what, 2 to 3 years(?) who's on 27.5, and most AM/Enduro bikes from another year before that.
  • 49 2
 Easy there guys! This is opening day, so mostly people who are very obsessed with bikes are there, and anyone who is obsessed with bikes AND has enough money to get a new one, will do so. Given that there are very few new and sexy 26" bikes around, it is easy to understand that on opening day we have a boost (sorry) of 27.5. But I do believe that at a random day during the mid season there will be more 26" than 27.5".
  • 7 14
flag johnanderson (May 25, 2016 at 12:35) (Below Threshold)
 The MTB industry just way slowed down 26 wheel production and went full speed ahead for 650b. When one looks at the benefits are not sure why. 26 inch wheel size is much better for jumping: easier to control in air. 650b is easier to roll over things but not as strong of wheel unless you go boost. 29 inch wheel is ridiculous to jump and dangers but great for XC.
  • 1 1
 @HankBizzle: Nah, its no worries, when they all jump across to 27.5 you can snag half dead ones (sometimes almost new) from them for cheap cheap cheap. Just bought 6 tyres in good nic from a mate who no longer owns a 26 bike for rather not a lot. Smile
  • 1 0
 @Grutten: Yeah good point, I got two Magic Mary's off my mate when he sold his bike one brand new and the other barely used. All for fitting his new fork on his new bike Smile
  • 2 0
 agreed and since ALL cutting edge innovations are for 27.5 and up and not 26 I expect our rides to die soon and switch to the new cool aid......also the lack of replacement 26" hoops.
  • 6 0
 I'm happy to see that there was a couple of bikes running 24" in tha back. Old school FTW Smile
  • 3 0
 @wingguy: I was surprised by how many smaller travel bikes were taken on the park. I wouldn't bring my Sight out there. It would get destroyed, or I wouldn't be riding the park like it should be ridden!
  • 5 0
 #26aintdead
  • 94 3
 Yes! 26 x 24 lives on, baby! Long live the Big Hit!
  • 9 0
 Hell yes, exactly my thoughts! I love this setup on my HT.
  • 12 0
 first stat I always look for, made my night! still rocking that set up myself. #26x24isdeadbutnotreallyinfact
  • 13 1
 Fast as Fuck.
  • 8 0
 24 ain't dead
  • 5 4
 Wasn't the 24" a kid bike?
  • 6 0
 @faul: @faul: Nope, there is a bunch of dudes riding the bike park with 24" rear wheels, no chains, high rise handlebars and bomb painted frames. Old school rocks!
  • 2 0
 @davecheng: I was looking for this. Those guys are awesome.
  • 5 0
 I was a bit disappointed there were no monster t's or gazza's in the bunch.
  • 4 0
 @Clarkeh: Chainless, spiderless, 26/24, cut off skinny jeans instead of armour, and sick mega trains and whips off the big Boneyard booters. So bad ass.
  • 3 0
 @davecheng: those guys are awesome! No f*cks given! And shreding hard
  • 1 0
 @jdotr: That's the sickest video i have see in a long time! Thank you..
  • 85 1
 Shoulda done a carbon fiber vs aluminum frame category.
  • 15 3
 And a hardtail vs full suspension. Always wonder how many ht bike there are being ridden.
  • 12 0
 @brncr6: you can tell which is hard tail by looking at frame models.
  • 6 3
 @brncr6: 100:1 .. just a guess. Actually probably not that many.
  • 11 0
 I'd also like to see a percentage of trail/enduro bikes vs. DH bikes. I know, you can tell from the models. But I don't know every model from every bike company, so without looking them all up, it'd be nice to see a comparison.
  • 3 0
 @brncr6: to be fair that Stumpjumper coulda been a hardtail, doesn't say HT or FSR after it Wink
  • 5 0
 It was an FSR, no hardtails came through when I did the 200 cross section but there was 1 around later in the day
  • 1 0
 Also interesting from the Ohlins shock stat that the most popular bike wasn't current model (Specialized Demo)
  • 45 2
 Interesting that the first four bikes are all lifetime warrenty.
  • 17 0
 Actually the first 6 do. Santa Cruz now does a lifetime warranty on frames and bolts and so does trek.
  • 10 2
 @skeen95: trek is only three years on their gravity bikes (slash and session) though they do offer a great lifetime crash replacement deal
  • 7 1
 @allenfstar: Trek offers a lifetime warranty on mainframe and 3years on seat/chainstay. Just to be clear.
  • 37 2
 shoutout to all the chainless riders #broke
  • 13 0
 #scootergang
  • 18 1
 Ermmm I don't want to nit pick but the clipless vs Flats has a different Stat in the picture and the write up haha Razz Wish I could've been there for opening!!!
  • 7 0
 I looked at that picture 3 different times to confirm whether or not I was losing it, but since my coffee has hit my bloodstream my judgement is at it's peak right now...which, by the way, is still only marginally better than a toddler.
  • 1 0
 haha yeah I noticed that too.
  • 13 1
 You'd be amazed how many people think Clipless is the same thing as flats. I mean, flats don't have 'clips' right?
  • 16 0
 ^Especially since you clip-in a clipless pedal.
  • 17 1
 @blackthorne: Yeah but to be fair it's gotta be one of the stupidest anachronistic naming conventions in any sport, let alone just cycling. Since old-school toe-clip shoe/pedals basically don't exist anymore it's must be time to start calling clipless pedals clipped or clip-in pedals instead. Because they are!
  • 3 0
 Also the actual 2015 Opening Day article says 78% flats, 22% clipless, but this article says 2015 OD had 16% flats, 84% clipless...?
  • 6 4
 @blackthorne: lets bring back clips
  • 2 0
 I think both photos are for the 2016 stat...in which case, they are correct. amiright?
  • 3 22
flag delusional (May 25, 2016 at 10:38) (Below Threshold)
 I'm shocked so many people are still riding flats. Among most of the people I ride with flats seem like a slightly kooky option these days.
  • 9 0
 @delusional: I rode clipless for 25+ years from year one that shimano released spds. switched back to flats two years ago and man i love my life. a pair of 5.10/adidas and some good pins. stick of clipless and worlds more brain space as you dont need to stigmatize ejection or clipping in in tough spots.
  • 9 1
 i agree with you. five tens and a good pair of flats have great advantages. Also, flats are the best way to jump and much more safe in a crash. people who like clipless pedals better--never learned on flats. Flats are better for jumping because you must learn how to correctly compress or preload a bike at takeoff when jumping. If you do this wrong your feet will come off the pedals because your bike will drop like a rock and you will go up. basically, you learn how to better control your bike. With clipless i found that bad habits start forming which lead to poor riding.
  • 9 3
 @johnanderson: Of course, if you did learn to ride with flats, and do know how to ride a bike properly you have an advantage running clips because you can "cheat" and move the bike on the clips when it's easier.

Being clipped in doesn't stop you correctly preloading into a jump, but being on flats does stop you picking the bike up on the clips in a shitty situation.

Anyway, i wasn't trying to argue for or against clips or flats. I have no problem with what anyone wants to run, and definitely see why people want to run flats. I was just surprised to see so many more people on flats than clips considering I barely know anyone who rides flats (bearing in mind I live in Squamish, and was riding Whistler on opening weekend, so this is my local scene).
  • 19 0
 Think the pedal stats have been flippity flopped
  • 17 0
 Unless your Eddy Masters, then they're "jandaled"
  • 3 0
 @krisrayner: to the don't stop the rock to the bang of the boogity b.
  • 15 1
 I find it hard to believe no one had a DVO Emerald, or maybe you guys forgot to put them on the list?
  • 6 0
 or a suntour rux
  • 9 0
 People had a jade but no emerald? Mysterious...
  • 6 1
 just didn't fall into the sample doesn't mean it wasn't present
  • 8 0
 Or a Dorado
  • 5 1
 Or a Manitou Dorado
  • 3 0
 Just 200 riders sampled. I'm sure there was way more than 200 people riding the park. And I'm sure there were a couple Emeralds. They're just so goddamn expensive!!
  • 2 1
 Too expensive, and where to get them serviced locally is probably a deal breaker.
  • 1 0
 @gouty: I heard there was 900-1200 people each day over the opening weekend. 200 person sample is a pretty small group
  • 12 4
 the wheel size figures seem pointless to list as its no longer about choice as if you need a new bike there's very few 26" wheeled options now. I imagine the figures would be different if you could pick most of the new bikes up with a 26" option still.
  • 3 0
 Stick it to the man, put 26er wheels on your 27.5 frame
  • 9 0
 Nobody risking using expensive Enve rims at all? I thought they were supposed to be good!
  • 12 2
 Go Shimano Zee best derailleur for $45 bullet proof 11sp is for suckers
  • 7 1
 1.5% of people on Zerodes, Great to hear! I'm stoked for that little company pushing gearboxes when all of the big players are keeping well clear!
  • 5 2
 That one's messed up from the sample size. There was a group of four on three Zerodes and a Maiden, they probably happened to get counted. Didn't see any Zerodes other than theirs.
  • 2 1
 @j-t-g: Ah, shame. Makes sense though...
  • 5 0
 @Ozziefish: just wait for next years count, the Taniwha trail bike will be there.
  • 8 0
 @j-t-g: I was there on a Zerode G2 (not part of the group you mentioned). And I saw another guy in line with a Zerode G1.
So there was at least two other Zerodes there.

And I almost always saw 1 or 2 others each day I went up last year. They are around.

Although I'm considering making a "No, it's not an e-bike" sticker for mine... so unknowledgeable people will stop asking me if it is a motor...
  • 6 2
 Thanx PB i like this. so why this and last month the poll was "is dh dead"? 50/50 for 26" wheels and I am sure that has everything to do with ppl are buying what is available. Also it would be interesting to see spexh demos old vs new.
  • 6 5
 Whilst it's almost certainly to do with what's actually available, a 40% drop in one year is pretty damning.

If it was a 40% drop in the stock exchange, the headlines would read "APOCALYPSE". so I guess we can consider this the extinction of the 26" wheel.
  • 8 0
 Poor guy riding a kenda honeybadger...
  • 13 0
 Honeybadger don't care.
  • 6 1
 Good to see the proportion of women going up and not surprised to see the Spec Butcher tire moving up the ranks in tire choice.
  • 5 0
 I don't know why but I'm a sucker for these "what people are riding (at so and so...) type of story.
  • 6 0
 that wheel size stat is a little scary
  • 7 0
 What, no Kona Stinkys?!
  • 5 1
 I'm very curious as to why Boxxers seem to dominate the front while DHX's get the rear. Is it because of how these are priced in North America?
  • 10 8
 So it reads that 100 riders setups were examined. How on earth are other 0.5% of so many bikes??!! We're people really running half a bike? And further, were they running the front half or the rear half or was the bike cut in half long way and they were running the right half or left half.
  • 5 0
 it stated that for the bike frames the sample size was increased to 200 riders
  • 1 0
 200 were sampled
  • 3 0
 200 riders. .5 = 1
Last year was 100
  • 6 0
 id never get a specialize, id be scared to get sue'd for riding it.
  • 5 1
 0% on dorados in 2016....damn lol just getting the new MRD kit installed in my dorado cant wait to see how it rides!
  • 4 0
 Like nothing else... apparently.
  • 6 0
 DHR!
#WeAreThe1%
  • 13 8
 Percentage I give a shit = 0%
  • 8 4
 Incredible how YT gained since last year haha. Sure they gonna be more up top 2017
  • 2 0
 Yes and No. 2% means only 4 riders of 200 ride an YT.
  • 4 1
 suprised to see that there were 3 jedis. that's great. but no dvo emerald or magura mt7. suprised to know that there are very few to non of the components on my build.
  • 5 2
 There is only 200 bikes in one location, one day of the year. It doesn't really show anything.
  • 1 0
 After seeing those stats I'd be interested to find out where everyone who was there came from to see if this has effected the results and how they have changed from last year. Cant say I'm surprised by the results, they would be different in terms of frames in the Uk. (Nukeproof would probably be close to the top of the frame list here) . I would have also asked riders if they had been there the previous year and if they had changed their bikes since then. Most of the results come from clever marketing tactics which clearly work on most of us.
  • 2 0
 So if the Specialized Demo is the #1 frame, but Ă–hlins shock and Specialized tires are not that present, that means they ride a more budget or older version ( 2014?) of the demo?
  • 1 0
 Honestly I encourage you to do it in August... It would be more world wide representative... Also please introduce body protection... Bodyarmourvs none Knee guards vs kneeshinguards and brands Elbow pads vs none Water botle vs camelback vs none Cheers.
  • 1 0
 Eu vou de Gios stage 1 com conjunto de freios Shimano m395, pneu CST DH hawk, aro vmaxx e rodas aro 26, e trocador Shimano Altus, e pedal nĂŁo clipado de plástico Neco, vou com meu capacete pro tork de aba torta e Ăłculos pro tork tambĂ©m, minha roupa Ă© pro tork e minha caneleira tambĂ©m, sou homem. Me aguardem to chegando!! #voumesmo#stravabrasil#huebr
  • 5 2
 This is invaluable information for shops all around! Showing how trends are shifting from last year to this year and the rise of woman riders is killer!
  • 8 2
 Hurray for more ladies shreddin the gnar!
  • 7 1
 that 6% increase of women got me stoked!
  • 1 0
 @Shredthenoob: I saw that and salute you!
  • 2 0
 @Shredthenoob: Actually, that's 6 more women if the survey stayed true with 100. But you'll really be stoked to hear that that is a 37.5% increase over last year.

Aren't numbers fun?
  • 4 0
 @garcmol: Numbers are not as fun as women
  • 2 1
 Do they have the numbers flip-flopped for 2015 regarding clipless vs. flat pedals? I find it hard to believe that 85 percent of riders last year were clipless to being with... and then suddenly 73 percent this year are riding flats.
  • 1 0
 They do. Click the link for last years statistics.
  • 4 0
 Kinda surprised the neck brace stats went unchanged,hoping they come out with something better for cheaper soon
  • 4 0
 Would be interesting to see stats on DH, FR and "enduro" bikes. Over time especially
  • 2 1
 Wow, massive swings in usage for certain items. Sun Ringle rims 21% down to 9%, DT Swiss rims 13% to 21%, Fox helmets 7% to 19%

Relatively small sample size compared to overall attendance I'm sure swings the results but still.
  • 1 0
 @roseoakhill I know they're technically different bikes by model name, but given that the Demo has been updated and reinvented countless times over the years (also Glory, V10, etc) so could date back to say '05 but you've made no distinction of such in that single model at the top of the category, should the TR450 and TR500 (for example) not also be added together? It's basically the same bike, just a 27.5 evolution.
  • 4 1
 What is relevant from this post:
- more women
- more people riding flat pedals
  • 10 1
 You're forgetting the other stat that has a huge change, wheel size. That said, stoked for more ladies. MTB needs to be less of a sausage festivals.
  • 5 1
 Love the article. But would suggests surveying more bikes/riders
  • 4 0
 Chainless 1% Gwin and Neko must have turned up
  • 3 0
 Breaking news: In 2016 whistler suffered an influx of female, clipless, enduro riders.
  • 4 0
 This is a extremely informative dataset, thank you for sharing this!
  • 6 1
 26 for life...
  • 1 0
 very cool stats. I was most shoked by the 27.5 Vs 26 wheels. I thought there would be more 27.5 in 2015. At least at MCBP in NJ there were more 27.5 in 2015.
Also surprised there were no Pivot Cycles Phoenix bikes there Wink
  • 1 0
 Hey, there were 3! Proud to be a .5%-er.
  • 2 0
 Cheers to all of the fellow Operator riders out there that haven't broken their frames yet. I broke mine.... Re-welded it for this season
  • 1 1
 All you dh douche canoes should take off your hockey equipment, smoke a fatty, and reflect on how rich you're making the owners of whistler bike " resort " and maybe put some time and effort into building some local trails that aren't costing you $$$
  • 5 0
 ZERO ENVE WHEELS ?? Big Grin
  • 12 0
 They were broken before the survey.
  • 3 2
 Thought Kona was a bigger thing in North America, but can we really trust in such statistics made on a single weekend. Come on Stab / Stinky / Process / Precept / Entourage etc. guys! Smile
  • 6 0
 Kona is a pretty big thing but nothing compared to Specialized/Trek/Giant, or even Santa Cruz. And Norco is practically the local brand in Whistler. As a Bellingham local though, I'm surprised to see Transition with more representation than Kona--they've blown up something crazy in the last few years.
  • 4 0
 Anyone else find it odd that there are more DHRs than DHR2s?
  • 4 3
 How data was gathered!, what methodology did you use? Can you elaborate pls? what is the quality of your data? U just stood there and counted how? Genuine q. I will probably be negged for it.
  • 6 1
 @ekho happy to answer, so yes I do just stand there and count, on Sunday between roughly noon and 4pm I stood by the RFID gate with a sheet with a hundred columns with all the mainstream frames/parts etc listed out plus some blank rows to fill in all the odds and ends and tick off one component at a time as each rider passes by at the RFID gates till I fill out all 100 columns then move onto the next component. I dont do more then one item at a time to be as accurate and unrushed as possible as the line moves on. With frames this is 200 as 100 really isn't a true representation of the variety, standing there all day counting frames would get a lot more variety but would mean the same bike being counted multiple times so its tricky to make the sample size much bigger. Its not designed to be the final word on what people are riding its a fun "just because" insight to whats going on out there in the WBP.
  • 1 0
 @roseoakhill: Good on ya! You gotta have a quick eye for some of those stats.
  • 1 0
 @roseoakhill: Yeah, I think you did a good job also. I enjoy reading articles like this.
  • 1 0
 Thanks for doing it man! Most of us genuinely appreciate it!
  • 3 0
 absolutely gutted that Marz Jr T didn't make it back. Sleep soundly oh silky one. R.I.P
  • 3 0
 Great to see how popular the Fox helmets are getting. The new pro carbon MIPS are sick!
  • 2 0
 Damn, so the Gwin endorsement really did boost YT up a ton. From not even featuring to one of the top bikes. Well deserved, hope to see it on top soon
  • 2 0
 Wait did you guys get the pedals backwards? Pictures say opposite of the text. Plz confirm. Really want to know
  • 2 0
 They did. More ride flats.
  • 6 4
 More Flat Pedals and more Girls! Good news!

Although interesting that 110% of people were or were not wearing a neck brace
  • 8 1
 77+23=100
  • 3 0
 @uphilarious: was 77 & 33, must've corrected quickly Smile
  • 1 1
 Typo yes
  • 2 0
 Anyone else notice the clipless and flats photos/percentages are backwards...
  • 3 0
 It'd be nice if the charts lined up....
  • 2 0
 1 in 5 riders on a santa cruz is on a Nomad. interesting.. 27.5 made a huge jump this year.
  • 1 0
 Oops, nevermind.
  • 3 0
 So many Demos. Just wondering how good gonna be Full version.
  • 1 0
 ha ha
  • 1 0
 I was quite dissapointed i thought it was going to show riders and their bikes, those are great articles like 23 bikes from whistler opening day or something
  • 1 0
 scroll down the main feed. That's a different article entirely.
  • 1 0
 Next best thing to riding bikes in Whistler...getting to hang out and count bikes in Whistler.....nice job PB. Heading there in July for 2 weeks.
  • 1 0
 You said 200 bikes so each bike = 0.5%
Therefore 2 bikes with 24inch rear only split between 26/24 means only 0.5% to 24 not 1%.... Your maths are floored
  • 1 0
 @Chris-Brown23 100 bikes for all categories except frames where we did 200 to get a better cross section.
  • 1 0
 @roseoakhill: ah OK, I had a few too many beers!
  • 3 0
 Who's the joker that slipped Enkei rims in there?
  • 3 2
 Reading the frame stats and can't help to feel like the world is missing out on riding unicorns on rainbows....AKA Canfield Jedi.
  • 5 2
 Looks like everyone discovered SRAM Guides. From 5% -> 21%
  • 2 0
 No 2001 Rocky Mtn RM9's with Shivers and a 24 inch rear wheel? Dang.......hard to believe!
  • 1 0
 Pedal for medal on flats with 26in ! *insert freeride handshape here*

Glad to see 78%/22% on men/women distribution ! 6 points of percentage in one year ! That's awesome !
  • 2 0
 No DVO Emerald in the fork category? I wasn't the only one up there with one...
  • 1 0
 The numbers of your pictures and your chart with clipless and flats are inverted
  • 2 0
 how many ppl had mud guards?
  • 3 1
 I am actually thinking about converting my am bike to 26+ next winter
  • 2 0
 Dude out there rockin a travis. sick
  • 3 0
 26 is still alive.
  • 2 0
 26 AIN'T DEAD- only 49% dead.
  • 1 0
 And the Manitou Dorado isn't even included in those fork statistics????!!! That cant be right...
  • 5 5
 Ahhhhh, that time of year we use Whistler opening day as a market study. 26 has lost some footing. That ought to ruffle some feathers.
  • 7 2
 kinda crazy to see almost a 50% drop in 26 in just a year!
  • 4 1
 @nismo325: Yea I guess a lot of people bought new whips over the winter.
  • 8 0
 Mind you, I'm struggling to find places that still stock 26" items !
  • 4 2
 Surprised there are no 29ers. I agree, there's not much of a place for 29ers in DH, but it seems like there'd be a few.
  • 1 1
 @skelldify: count on seeing a Wreckoning in there next year, but I don't think a regular mortal can buy one yet...?
  • 2 1
 @skelldify: This is supposed to be the year of the 29er!? Thought there would at least be and enduro 9er out there...
  • 1 0
 nothing hilarious other than a couple of old norcos? Whistler is serious business.
  • 4 0
 I saw two CCM's that day.... must have missed the count.
  • 2 0
 Really interesting! very cool stats!
  • 1 1
 Can someone explain the huge fluctuation of clips vs flats compared to last year? I can't think of a reason why this would be
  • 5 1
 More enduro bikes maybe ?
  • 4 1
 Moar women, Moar better.
  • 1 0
 My very cold interpretation of this data is enduro bikes are selling well...
  • 2 0
 Twice as many people riding DHR over DHR2. Who is choosing that?
  • 2 0
 Wow, everyone riding pretty high end stuff.
  • 1 0
 110% were riding with and without neck brace ????
  • 1 0
 Interesting that the two stats for neck braces are exactly equal.
  • 1 0
 110% neck brace. nice.
  • 1 0
 Yo, you've got the numbers are the wrong way around for the pedals
  • 2 1
 Wow. I didn't think GT was that unpopular.
  • 2 0
 My thoughts as well. Are GT's that unpopular in BC?
  • 2 0
 More gearboxes than xt!
  • 1 0
 saint brakes all the wayyyy
  • 1 0
 Not even a single SB6C.. or any Yetis at all? Hhm.
  • 1 0
 Snapped my frame on opening week!!!!
  • 2 0
 That sucks man! Run over it with the car and claim it on your insurance! Lol
  • 1 0
 Feeling for that 1% on Avid Juicys!
  • 1 0
 I have seen some cheap enve 26" wheels for sale
  • 1 0
 Crazy how 27.5" gained in 1 year !
  • 1 0
 @schuster19 in the picture is that @seabass98110
  • 1 0
 Shoutout to the chainless riders!
  • 3 2
 Is there really only 25% of rides that ride flat pedals..? Insane.
  • 1 0
 FCK FOR 26 Frown !!! But more clipless is rad !!
  • 1 0
 @protour specialized demo is the most spotted bike on the mtn
  • 1 0
 Absolutely insane props to the guy on the Norco b line!
  • 1 0
 Love this kind of article!
  • 1 0
 Only one Gambler!
  • 1 0
 no light bike rims, that does surprise me
  • 2 0
 Light bike rims don't pay the bills...
  • 1 0
 No Hope brakes this year?
  • 1 0
 This is sick!
  • 1 0
 Flats FTW
  • 1 1
 No orbea rallon ? It's the perfect whistler bike
  • 1 1
 So no DVO Emeralds?!?!?
Hard to believe!
  • 3 0
 I was there on monday and at least 3 dvo emeralds, and most every other possible combination but only 200 bikes were sampled which is probably far less than half the bikes on the mountain.
  • 2 2
 Numbers are manipulated by man. These numbers are bullshit.
  • 5 5
 27.5 aint dead
  • 7 7
 For downhill it is stupid. At least dirt jump and slopestyle will never change wheel sizes.
Below threshold threads are hidden







Copyright © 2000 - 2024. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv56 0.056666
Mobile Version of Website